IPL Photofacial
What is IPL?
Did you know you can erase sun damage with light?
The signs of aging go beyond fine lines and wrinkles. Photo damage is the result of a lifetime of ultraviolet light exposure. The visible signs include pigmentary changes, coarse skin texture, spider veins, facial redness, enlarged pores, and of course, wrinkles. Intense Pulsed Light treatments are designed to combat the effects of aging with a gentle approach.
Intense Pulsed Light, commonly known as IPL, Fotofacial or Photo Facial, delivers high-intensity computer-controlled pulses of light that penetrate your skin and heat the sub-surface layers. Dr. Fitzgerald uses IPL to reverse brownspots caused by sun damage and unwanted spider veins, while stimulating healthy, new collagen.
A series of IPL treatments can offer many of the same benefits of a medium depth laser resurfacing or chemical peel without blisters, burns or long recovery time.
Dr. Fitzgerald has just recently added the innovative StarLux500, produced by laser leader Palomar Medical. This is a powerful multifunction laser that produces results more quickly and more comfortably than preceding lasers. Contact cooling keeps your skin surface cool without the need for messy thick gels.
IPL treats a wide variety of skin conditions:
- sun damage
- flushing
- skin texture
- redness
- broken capillaries
- brown spots
- age spots
- dark circles around the eyes
- sun-induced freckles on the hands, chest, and face
- broken capillaries around the nose
- excels in helping the reduction of fine wrinkles and large pores.
How does IPL work?
IPL is capable of two processes at once. During treatment, the IPL wavelength is optimized so that the energy is absorbed only by the unwanted melanin, raising the temperature to cause shattering of the pigment. Deeper level damaged blood vessels are treated at the same time.
Shortly after treatment, the unwanted pigment cells (or melanin) have been thoroughly fragmented without damage to the surrounding tissue. Vascular lesions (spider veins) also coagulate and shrink, many of them disappearing altogether.
In the weeks after treatment, the shattered melanin particles are eliminated by your body's own little "clean up" system that absorbs fragmented pigment. Little or no trace of the initial pigmentation spots or spidery veins remain.
What after-care is needed?
Basically nothing beyond normal use of sun protection. Because the treatment is gentle, there is no interruption of routine activities.
What can I expect from IPL treatments?
By helping to remove the age spots, sun-induced freckles and broken capillaries, you'll have overall younger looking skin. Improvement is subtle and accomplished over a series of treatments so your skin will not appear obviously treated.
The path to better skin
There are a variety of ways to reduce pigmentation and improve sun damage. Each patient will have a different and individualized recommendation. Your skin type will likely respond better to one type of treatment over another. Whereas IPL is correct for some, your selected treatment might be Cosmelan or Photodynamic Therapy or even a series of mild chemical peels.
This is where having an experienced dermatologist makes the difference in a successful and safe treatment regimen. Dr. Fitzgerald always proceeds with the necessary caution that's required to get the best results - even if this means more frequent visits.
Despite the many "instant fix" promises you hear about, it is often the careful and continued slower mix of treatments that keep your skin looking youthful and clear.
Call our conveniently located Larchmont Avenue office in Los Angeles to book your complimentary comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Fitzgerald. (323) 464-8046
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